- Paperback: 320 pages
- Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd; paperback / softback edition (22 Nov 1990)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 014014367X
- ISBN-13: 978-0140143676
- Product Dimensions: 17.6 x 10.8 x 2.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,325,188 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
Between the kingdoms of the western realms and the eastern lands of Kara-Tur, lies a vast, unexplored domain. For centuries, the people of the realms have given little notice to the barbarians who live there. Then, one day, the wild horsemen unite into an army powerful enough to destroy the world.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Paperback
The first book in the Tuigan Horselords trilogy and our proper introduction to Yamun Kahan and the Tuigan people. The Tuigan are clearly modelled on the Mongol horde and Yamun Kahan on Ghengis Khan, but that doesn't take away from the story at all. In fact, the Author does a good job of showing how an essentially primitive people such as the Nomadic Tuigan deal with magic and "civilised" people who oppose them, especially when the Kahan's Stepmother, herself a Sorceress, is evidently out for his blood and may well have help from inside and outside the Kahan's lands. We are shown all of this, of course, through the eyes of a Monk who is not a Tuigan, who is sent to them as an Ambassador by his people and later finds himself possibly being taken by the Kahan's army to a War with his own people. It's an interesting technique, since the Monk thinks far more like the reader likely would than a Tuigan would-and it works. Enjoy and appreciate a seemingly forgotten corner of Forgotten Realms history.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
was obviously the inspiration for this novel. The book has a lovingly detailed setting and strong characters, with the pendulum constantly swinging between cruelty and gentleness. It is clear that the author has researched the lifestyle of the Mongolian nomad's well. But there is one minor detail that grated with me. He refers to the Mongolian tents as YURTS. That's not the word the Mongolians use. The word Yurt was imposed on them by the Russians. Before, and after, the Russian occupation they used the word GER to describe the round felt tents. They are angry if outsiders uses the word YURT. It's an insult to them. I'm surprised that the author has his 'Mongolian' characters refer to their tents in a phrase that applied to the Mid-20th century 'Sovjet Protection' period. It's totally out of place. A very minor point, I admit. But to me it spoilt the book somewhat. I've lived in Mongolia (in GERS) and have close Mongolian friends. I know they would approve of this book, and of the way their history is approached, because they are proud of Ghenghis Khan and of their horses. The other Mongolian words the author uses - e.g. DEL for the unisex garment, are correct.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
6 reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
The Hordelands!
26 July 2004
Format:Paperback
Horselords is the first book in the Empires Trilogy, which deals with a neglected part of the Realms, the Hordelands (located east of Faerun), and its inhabitants.
Specifically the book sheds light on Khahan Yamun, leader of the Tuigan tribe and his campaign of conquest in the lands of Kara-Tur. By his side, is Koja, a priest of Furo and advisor to Yamun.
The plot as a whole is very good. The book is a little slow in the beginning, but very well written, and as it goes on the characters come alive. David Cook does a great job of presenting the distinct culture and civilization of the peoples of the steppe. He has done a great deal of research in order to provide such an accurate and lucid description of the Mongol-like people.
There are strong elements that are characteristic of the TV miniseries Shogun, starring Richard Chamberlain, that aired in the early Eighties.
In conclusion, Horselords is strongly recommended for Eastern/Oriental enthusiasts who have a soft spot for Genghis Khan and everything Mongol.
Specifically the book sheds light on Khahan Yamun, leader of the Tuigan tribe and his campaign of conquest in the lands of Kara-Tur. By his side, is Koja, a priest of Furo and advisor to Yamun.
The plot as a whole is very good. The book is a little slow in the beginning, but very well written, and as it goes on the characters come alive. David Cook does a great job of presenting the distinct culture and civilization of the peoples of the steppe. He has done a great deal of research in order to provide such an accurate and lucid description of the Mongol-like people.
There are strong elements that are characteristic of the TV miniseries Shogun, starring Richard Chamberlain, that aired in the early Eighties.
In conclusion, Horselords is strongly recommended for Eastern/Oriental enthusiasts who have a soft spot for Genghis Khan and everything Mongol.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
The Horselords
7 Jan 2000
Format:Paperback
Overall this book was an awesome display of tactical ingenuity. The Tuigans, seemingly modeled after the Mongols during the time of Genghis Khan, embody the Mongol singleminded warring tradition and culture. In Koja the Khazari monk, we see the perspective of someone from outside the culture who is then brought into the Tuigans. He sees the sublime qualities of Yamun Khahan, the leader of the Tuigans. Their enemies portray the Khahan and the Tuigan as cruel, unintelligent barbarians, but as the story shows, though the Tuigans generally cannot read or write, Yamun Khahan shows that sometimes the pen is "not" mightier than the sword. Undoubtedly, the Tuigan "are" cruel (real painful torture techniques) ...but Yamun Khahan parallels a Machievellian idea that "A leader is defined by cruelty used well or used poorly". Yamun embodies a greatness that few leaders have; possessing the power and charisma to drive hundreds of thousands of people to victory, death, and glory. I thought this was a great book, although, I think the ending left something to be desired (but that's my opinion). Nonetheless, that does not detract from the superb storyline and depth with which each of the main characters disposes on the reader.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Horselords: One of the finest pieces of alternative fantasy
17 April 2005
Format:Paperback
Horselords is a novel I first read over 15 years ago, and it still enchants me today, as much as it did then. It is a novel set in the Forgotten Realms setting, but it is a great book by itself and no prior reading is neccesary to enjoy it.
This is a fantasy novel, not with knights, dragons, and princesses... but based on the Mongols and tribes of the Asian steppe. Set around nomad life, and seen in part from the view of a Tibetenesque monk living with this radically different culture.
It is extremely well written, and while it is a tale of war, there is a majority of time spent on culture and life of the nomad, along with dialogue between the juxtaposed monk and the "barbarians."
This is one of my all time favorites, and while its sequels were not of the same caliber (or even the same author), it is a great stand alone story, that leaves you thirsting for more! If you like non-western fantasy settings, mongols, or just a good story, you will appreciate this book.
This is a fantasy novel, not with knights, dragons, and princesses... but based on the Mongols and tribes of the Asian steppe. Set around nomad life, and seen in part from the view of a Tibetenesque monk living with this radically different culture.
It is extremely well written, and while it is a tale of war, there is a majority of time spent on culture and life of the nomad, along with dialogue between the juxtaposed monk and the "barbarians."
This is one of my all time favorites, and while its sequels were not of the same caliber (or even the same author), it is a great stand alone story, that leaves you thirsting for more! If you like non-western fantasy settings, mongols, or just a good story, you will appreciate this book.
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